Extra: Is Involuntary Hospitalization The Answer To America’s Homeless Problem?
Crime and the general decline in quality of life have been major concerns for US cities.
In an effort to address this issue, New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced the launch of a directive that would allow first responders like police officers and firefighters, to involuntarily commit people struggling with mental illness to the hospital for psychiatric help.
The controversial idea saw immediate pushback as some homeless advocates raised objections to cops and other city workers being given the power to make very consequential medical decisions.
On the FOX News Rundown, Lisa Brady spoke to experts on the issue to discuss the benefits and the possible problems of the policy.
First, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute Stephen Eide weighed in on the uphill battle Mayor Adams faces in implementing this plan, and how the program could become a blueprint for American cities. Eide, who is the author of “Homelessness in America: The History and Tragedy of an Intractable Social Problem” also addressed the concerns of homeless advocates and explained why cities need to be proactive for the sake of the homeless.
Then, retired NYPD Lieutenant Joe Cardinale joined Lisa to share why he feels the government must step up and help those who have become a danger to themselves and others. However, he also explained the challenges this would create for officers.
Due to time limitations, we could not include all of the conversations in our original segment. On the FOX News Rundown Extra, you will hear our entire interviews with Manhattan Institute’s Stephen Eide and retired NYPD Lieutenant Joe Cardinale and get more of their take on the complex issue of homeless in America.
